If you’re thinking about moving to Bella Vista, Arkansas, you’ll find that the small city has a lot more to offer than what meets the eye. Whether you’re a retiree looking for some peace and quiet or an outdoor enthusiast looking for your next adventure, you’re guaranteed to find what you’re looking for at Bella Vista. However, is living in this gorgeous city all that it’s cracked up to be?
Living in Bella Vista, Arkansas, introduces you to a fantastic retirement community, a lively outdoor community, unique homes, affordable pricing, and a POA, though don’t worry, the latter isn’t restrictive at all. Bellavista feeds off Bentonville in terms of amenities, so you won’t get bored here.
Below, I’ll go over everything you need to know about living in Bella Vista, Arkansas. From their excellent retirement community to their unique homes, I’ve covered some of the city’s most distinct features in the following sections. So, if you’re thinking about moving there or simply looking to pay it a visit, make sure to read on until the end, as this guide is for you.
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Everything You Need To Know About Living in Bella Vista, Arkansas
Here’s everything you need to know about living in Bella Vista, Arkansas:
Retirement Community
The first thing I want to talk about is the amazing Bella Vista retirement community. In fact, back in the 1960s, the city was intended to be just that – a place where retirees could spend their golden years. That’s why you’ll find things like, say, golf courses spread around Bella Vista, which are pretty uncommon for cities that are this small.
I’m happy to report that Bella Vista has lived up to its intended purpose and today boasts one of the best retirement communities in the US. However, don’t be fooled; the ever-changing nature of the place has attracted plenty of young, adventurous residents too.
Outdoor Community
While on the topic, another reason why the population in Bella Vista has recently gotten younger is that plenty of teens and young adults have been employed in the businesses populating the area, JB Hunt and Tyson, and the city has become the perfect shelter for these people to earn their living while still enjoying some peace and quiet.
As a result, Bella Vista has become quite the outdoorsy community. I already mentioned the golf courses, but here you’ll also find plenty of swimming pools, trail systems, and tennis courts. Locals also like to fish since there are plenty of lakes nearby.
Moreover, the whole city is full of greenery, and you’ll find that trees are planted almost anywhere, meaning that you’ll be able to enjoy living close to nature while also having access to all amenities you might need.
One of the local’s favorite pastimes is hiking. The trail system here is excellent, which is why more and more residents are getting into physical activity. As a result, the population has quickly become more diverse, with seniors and young adults building a very active community.
One thing to note, though, is that the city has historically struggled with helping promote small businesses such as restaurants and cafés, so there aren’t many in the area. That’s mainly because a large highway goes right across the city, making it challenging for residents to get around without going through it.
Recently, however, a bypass was opened, which allowed much more traffic to flow through the city. As a result, a new McDonald’s and Starbucks opened in the area. Still, the city has a long way to go when it comes to providing its residents with some entertainment options (aside from the many outdoor activity establishments).
That’s why, in this context, the city generally feeds off Bentonville’s infrastructure.
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Bella Vista Feeds Off Bentonville
Bentonville, unlike its neighbor, boasts a wide array of amenities (bike trail systems, pools, community centers, and so on). The drive between the two cities isn’t more than 10 minutes long, so you can easily commute back and forth in order to get to where you need to be.
This allows you to get the best of both worlds – spend the quiet, peaceful, active days in Bella Vista and then make a quick trip to Bentonville to try out a new restaurant or go to a cool museum.
Also, I have a 3-day itinerary that can help you decide what activities to do if you’re overwhelmed by everything Northwest Arkansas has to offer.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a foodie, a sports person, a sightseer, or want to spend quality time with your kids; I have something for you. Check out the link below to learn more:
https://www.allthingsnwa.com/3-day-itinerary-northwest-arkansas
Unique Homes
One of the most distinctive features of Bella Vista is the fact that no two homes are the same (figuratively speaking, of course). Still, each building has its unique features and charm, and you’ll easily be able to differentiate between them.
You’ll find everything here, from old-timey homes to actual mansions, so one thing’s for sure – you’ll never get bored with the architecture.
Affordable Housing
Bringing it back to my last point, since you’re not limited to the type of housing you can find here, you might be able to get some pretty good deals. Some spacious, great-condition homes can sell for as little as $200,000, which, in this economy, is pretty rare.
That’s why so many people here are more than content making a living working as a cashier, for example, because everything, including housing, is pretty affordable.
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POA
If you’ve been researching Bella Vista for a while, you might already know this, but it’s still worth mentioning. The city has a POA; however, it isn’t restrictive at all. They simply make sure that you keep your property in good shape by, say, building a fence.
Compared to some other POAs around the country, you’ll find the laid-back rules here refreshing. Most policies are actually in your best interest, as painting your house hot pink, for example (which would be forbidden), would significantly bring down your property’s value.
The POA here also gives you access to low-cost amenities, such as:
- Pool access
- Beach access
- Golf courses
- Gym memberships
I’ve covered many things about living in Bella Vista in another blog post. Make sure to check it out to get a better idea of what the city’s like.
Final Thoughts
Though small, Bella Vista has something to offer to everyone. So, if you’re thinking about relocating to Northwest Arkansas, I’d highly recommend considering Bella Vita as your destination of choice. The peaceful, serene city nestled in green trees and grass fields can still offer just the right dose of excitement.
Whether you’re looking for an affordable property to call home or a great community where you can spend your retirement years, Bella Vista offers just that.